Chevron Corporation filed a complaint Tuesday against New York Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli with the state ethics board.

[1]The complaint, filed with New York’s Joint Committee on Public Ethics, asks for an investigation of DiNapoli as well as current and past members of his staff for multiple violations of the New York Public Officers Law.

Chevron’s complaint relates to ongoing litigation in Ecuador and claims that DiNapoli, who oversees the state Common Retirement Fund, which owns more than $800 million of Chevron stock, breached his ethical and fiduciary duties.

Under the state’s Public Officers Law, public officials are prohibited from having “any interest, financial or otherwise… which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his duties in the public interest.” In the complaint, Chevron alleges that DiNapoli used his office to support the Ecuadorian plaintiffs’ lawyers’ scheme to pressure Chevron into settling the lawsuit in exchange for benefits received from the plaintiffs’ representatives.

The plaintiffs’ supporters, amongst other things, have made direct financial contributions to DiNapoli’s campaign in excess of $60,000 and have given him other political benefits, according to the complaint.

“The Comptroller’s continued advocacy has come despite repeated findings by U.S. federal courts that the Ecuador litigation is tainted by fraud,” said Hewitt Pate, Chevron vice president and general counsel, in a statement. “Mr. DiNapoli’s actions serve only his political patrons, not the citizens of the State of New York or the beneficiaries of the Common Retirement Fund. This type of quid pro quo behavior is an apparent breach of ethical and legal responsibilities that warrants investigation.”

DiNapoli took office in 2007 after his predecessor, Alan Hevesi, left office under allegations of misconduct, including a pay-for-play scandal that ultimately resulted in prison time. Hevesi was granted parole last week and will be released by December 19.